Event Comment: Afterpiece: A New Musical Entertainment in Two Interludes. The words to be sold at the theatre (General Advertiser). Some Gentlemen crowding behind ye Scenes, ye Audience resented it & ye farce was stop'd for half an hour--I drew lines with chalk, but Miss Norris applying publickly to Capt. Johnson, desiring he wou'd retire, He did & ye farce went on with great Applause. The words of this piece were by Mr Mendez, & set by Dr Boyce (Cross). Added to salary list, Mr Campioni. Paid him for cloaths #21, and for 51 days work, #42 10s. (Treasurer's Book). Receipts: #140 (Cross); #142 13s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Paid Ayliffe (a Turner) #1 14s. 6d.; Mr Lane (a Tailor) his bill #88 12s.; Xmas Box to Prince's Chairmen #2 2s.; and to Inns or Court [Porters] #3 4s.; Fryar (a Hosier) #6 12s.; Burgess [Bricklayer] his bill #50; Smart (Laceman) #11 1s.; a Coffin for Ophelia 15s. 6d.; Mr Shawford's son for dancing in the Tempest 10s. (Treasurer's Book). Receipts: #100 (Cross); #102 6s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Benefit for a Citizen in Distress. Benefit for Mr Buss. Cash #47 1s. 6d. plus tickets #46 19s. Total income #94 6s. (Treasurer's Book). Tickets to be had at Pinchbeck's Toy Shop, in the Haymarket; the Mitre, Union St., Westminster; The Rummer, Charing Cross, the Gentleman and Porter, Fleet St.; Mr Dickenson, Printseller, Fleet St., Doctor's Commons Coffee House; the Dog Tavern, Garlick Hill; the Three Tuns Aldgate; and of Hobson at the stage door. Tomorrow, the Merchant of Venice, for the Benefit of a Young Gentlewoman under misfortunes, by the bankruptcy of her Guardian (General Advertiser). Receipts: #93 (Cross); charges, #80 (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Paid to Mr Franklin [the printer?] #8 2s.; To Mr Norton 5 chorus 9s. (Treasurer's Book). Those Gentlemen who borrow'd gold laced hats to go to Drury Lane in order to damn the new play are desir'd to return them to the owners, or their names will be publish'd at full length (Winston MS 7, from No 5 of The Midwife). This month was publish'd Corneille's Horace and the Roman Father Compared (Gentleman's Magazine, Register of Books). Receipts: #190 (Cross); #175 5s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Benefit for Author. Tickets at the Stage Door. This Day is Published at 1s. 6d. The Roman Father, a Tragedy, as it is now acting at Drury Lane. Written by Mr W. Whitehead. Printed for R. Dodsley in Pall Mall, and sold by M. Cooper in Paternoster Row (General Advertiser). Paid Cross a bill #1 8s. 7d. Norton 4 chorus #1. Paid for a brown coat with gold holes, a scarlet waistcoat with gold lace, scarlet shag breeches for Mr Sowdon #8 (Treasurer's Book). [Probably Sowdon's costume in the part of Tullius Hcstilius.] Receipts: #190 (Cross); charges, #63 (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: To the Author of the General Advertiser. Sir: Having read an advertisement of a performance call'd Concerto Spirituale, for the Benefit of Mr Geminiani, on Friday 6 April next, I could not avoid making a few remarks to the public on the occasion, which, if you will favour with a place in your Paper it may perhaps be of service to his undertaking, and will greatly oblige, Sir your humble Serv't, J. B. When Mr Geminiani came first over here, the great excellence of the Violin was unknown in this kingdom, and the great improvement our countrymen have made on that instrument is entirely owing to him. The valuable works he has produc'd in the instrumental way, are greater indications of his merit, as an author, than any I can offer in his behalf; this is the only Benefit he ever made, therefore I persuade myself that the Public (who are justly famous for their Generosity on such laudable occasions) will give him the encouragement his Merit deserves

Event Comment: nother long letter to the author of the General Advertiser pleading attendance at the benefit performance of Comus]: Whoever then would be thought capable of Pleasure in reading the works of our Incomparable Milton, and not so destitute of Gratitude as to refuse to lay out a Trifle in a rational and elegant entertainment for the Benefit of his living remains, for the exercise of their own Virtue, the Increase of their Reputation, and the pleasing consciousness of doing good, should appear at Drury Lane theatre tomorrow April 5, when Comus will be performed for the Benefit of Mrs Elizabeth Foster, Granddaughter to the Author, and the only surviving branch of the family. N.B. There will be a new Prologue on the Occasion written by the Author of Irene, and spoken by Mr Garrick; and by particular Desire there will be added to the Masque, a dramatic Satyr call'd Lethe in which Mr Garrick will perform. Tickets to be had of Dodsley, Bookseller, Pall Mall; Messrs Payne and Boquet, Booksellers, Paternoster Row; Batson's Coffee House, near the Royal Exchange, and of Hobson at the Stage Door

Event Comment: Benefit for Cross, and Burton. Rec'd cash #36 15s., plus #116 6s. from tickets. Total #153 1s.; Paid Norton 6 Chorus #1 10s.; Paid Mr Dolmain (Embroiderer) #3 (Treasurer's Book). Tickets to be had of Mr Page at the Stage Door. Tickets deliver'd out by Grandchamps will be taken. Publish'd this day, the third edn. of Colley Cibber's Apology for his Life at 6s. With an Historical view of the stage during his own time, to which is now added A short account of the Rise and Progress of English Stage: also a dialogue on old plays and old players. Printed for R. Dodsley (General Advertiser). Receipts: #154 (Cross); charges, #63 (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: MMr Barry flew from his articles & engag'd with Rich; Mrs Cibber (who did not play last season) is also engag'd there--Y: King went to Ireland--Macklin and Wife came from thence to Mr Rich (Cross). Passage open'd from Russel St. into the boxes where Ladies and Gentlemen may be set down from their coaches, and there is likewise a better accommodation made for Chairs to come up to the House, and be kept in waiting, at the end of the Passage from Bridges St. Boxes 5s. Pit 3s. First Gallery 2s. Upper Gallery 1s. Places for the Boxes to be taken of Mr Hobson at the stage door of the Theatre. [The notice about the Passage was continued through 20 Sept. The notice about prices was customary throughout the season. Neither will be repeated further here.] Receipts: #110 (Cross)

Event Comment: OOccasional Prologue call'd for. Mr Griffith (Son of Griffith an Actor in Ireland) play'd Barnwell: Toll: [erable] (Cross). This day at Noon will be publish'd and sold by the proprietor and the print shops, two portraits of those celebrated Comedians, Mr Woodward and Mrs Clive, in the characters of the Fine Gentleman and Lady in Lethe (as they are to perform them tonight, at Drury Lane) curiously engraved (in Miniature) from Original drawings of the same size. By J. Brooks, Engraver of Silver and Copper plate. N.B. The above prints may be had together or separate (General Advertiser).Receipts: #140 (Cross)

Event Comment: The Dirge (from the General Advertiser).@ Ah, hapless Maid doom'd to the gaping Jaws@Of a Cold and Comfortless and Dreary Tomb.@Thy Marriage song is chang'd to mournful Dirge@Thy bridal bed to a black Fun'ral Hearse.@Hark, how with awful Pause the solemn Bell@In Death-like Sounds tolls her untimely Knell.@She was her Parents' sole delight@They had but one and only child.@Since Death has torn her from their Arms@With Grief and Sorrow they are wild.@Their Grief and Sorrow ev'ry Bosom shares@Witness our sighs and Groans and falling Tears.

Event Comment: By Particular Desire. On Thursday 6 Dec. 1750 a Benefit for a Citizen's Widow with 8 Children, As You Like It, and Miss in her Teens. Tickets to be had at Moorgate Coffee House; Rainbow, Sam's and Janeway's Coffee Houses in Cornhill; Paul's Head, Carter Lane; Peele's and Nandoe's in Fleet Street; Mr Law's, Confectioner, at the Eagle and Child, Fleet St.; Charing Cross; Bethell's Hatter and Hosier, the corner of Pall Mall; Thatched House Tavern, St James St.; Mr Jones, Bookseller, the corner of Staples Inn, and Seagoe's Coffee House, Holborn; the Aldersgate Coffee House, Aldersgate Street; and Ship Tavern, Ratcliff cross. This day is publish'd The Rosciad: a Poem (at 1s.) in which the excellencies and imperfections of the three present principal ornaments of the British Stage are illustrated, and conspicuously represented; with observations on theatrical performances. Printed for J. Robinson. Receipts: #100 (Cross)

Event Comment: Mainpiece: By Desire. Tickets deliver'd out by Mr Oswald will be taken (General Advertiser). Mr Oswald ye Music had some Tickets (Cross). [Queen Mab played thirty-two times consecutively at full prices.] A. Betson, Miscellaneous Dissertations: Historical, Critical, and Moral, on the Origin and Antiquity of Masquerades, Plays, Poetry, and several other heathenish customs. Printed. (Register of Books, Gentleman's Magazine, Feb. 1751, p. 95). Receipts: #140 (Cross)

Event Comment: Benefit for the Author, went off very well (Cross). Tickets to be had of the Author at Mr Francklin's in Russel St., Covent Garden; or Mr Dodsley in Pall Mall, and at the stage Door. Receipts: #143 (Cross)

Event Comment: Benefit for Barry. Last time of performing mainpiece this season. N.B. A New Tomb will be made use of, so modell'd as to prevent any obstruction to persons sitting on the stage, from seeing the performance. Pit and boxes will be laid together. Amphitheatre on stage. Servants admitted to keep places. Tickets at Mr Barry's in Bow St., Covent Garden and at Stage Door

Event Comment: Benefit for ye Wid. Mills & Mr Matthews (Cross). Tickets and places to be had of Mathews in Fountain Court, Aldermanbury; of Mrs Mills, at Mr Gardiner's a Printer in Little Russel St., Covent Garden and at the Stage Door. Tickets deliver'd for the Way of the World, and for the 18th will be taken, and those for the Fair Penitent the 25th. Receipts: #200 (Cross)

Event Comment: Benefit for one Barry a Jeweller (Cross). A Charity Play, recommended by the City of London for Barry, Jeweller in Salisbury Court (being in great distress). Tickets at Grigsby's, Shadwell's, Janeway's and Sam's Coffee Houses by the Royal Exchange; Peele's, Nando's Anderton's and Temple Exchange in Fleet St., Marsh's Coffee House in Silver St., and at the stage door. Stage will be form'd into an Amphitheatre (General Advertiser). Mr Reinhold dy'd (Cross). A man no less admired for his private character than his publick performance. He has left behind him a Wife and Four small children in great distress; for the relief of whom the Managers of Drury Lane, and the actors have agreed to perform a play Gratis, some time next week; when it is hop'd the good nature of the publick will favour the intention of the performers. Tickets to be had of Mr Beard, at his house in North St., Red Lion Square, and at the theatre (General Advertiser, 16 May). Receipts: #60 (Cross)

Event Comment: mong the Addresses of the Lords and Commons to the Sovereign which appeared in the Gentleman's Magazine (Nov. 1751, pp. 513-14) one recommended that provision be made for suppressing audacious crimes of robbery and violence. A contributor called Mr Urban's attention to a "method of reformation earnestly recommended more than 40 years ago by an eminent Divine" (Dean Swift). In this treatise occured the following paragraph: "The Reformation of the Stage is entirely in the power of the Court; and in the consequence it hath upon the minds of younger people, doth very well deserve the strictest care. Surely a pension would not be ill employed on some men of wit, learning and virtue, who might have power to strike out every offensive and unbecoming passage from plays already written, as well as those that may be offered to the stage for the future, by which, and other wise regulations, the theatre might become a very innocent and useful diversion instead of being a scandal and reproach to our religion and country."] Receipts: #120 (Cross)

Event Comment: A new Musical Masque. This Masque was written by ye Author of the Chaplet (Mr Mendez) & set by Dr Boyce. Great Applause. I had the copy (Cross). [On this and all subsequent bills this season for The Shepherd's Lottery announcement is made of the composition of the music by Dr Boyce.] Receipts: #100 (Cross)

Event Comment: Benefit for a Tradesman under Confinement. [This benefit had first been advertised on Monday 11 Nov. Tickets were to be had at seven Coffee Houses, at Mr Watkins' Optician, at Charing Cross, Mrs Crokett's, Harberdasher at the Seven Stars, Ludgate St., and at the stage door. On the day of the benefit one Philantropos contributed a letter in support of it which was printed in the first column of the General Advertiser. The Tradesman was a bookseller who was "the immediate instrument of ushering into the world some of the most valuable books that have been publish'd for these 30 years." But he had paid more attention to the advancement of letters than "to the lucrative views that attend the trade in general," so, in the eyes of Philantropos deserved the support of the town at this benefit.] The death of Mr Cooke mentioned in the Papers is a mistake, he being in a fair way of recovery (General Advertiser)